Volume XXXIV No. 8 Bell Tower Building • Cumberland, MD 21502 August 2016

August 4 8:00 am Membership Committee Mtg. Chamber Boardroom August 5 6:00 – 9:00 pm Chamber Crab Feast Ali Ghan Shrine Club Picnic Grounds August 10 Noon Legislative Committee Meeting Chamber Boardroom August 11 7:30 am Education Committee Meeting Allegany College of Maryland August 15 8:00 am Leadership Allegany! Alumni Committee Meeting Chamber BoardroomAugust 16 8:00 am Leadership Allegany! Steering Committee Meeting Chamber BoardroomAugust 17 8:00 am Economic Development Committee Meeting Chamber Boardroom 5:30 – 7:30 pm “Chamber After Hours” Nature’s GraniteAugust 25 Noon Board of Directors Meeting Chamber Boardroom

August Calendar Pokémon GO! Yeah I know, but after you’re done shaking your head, let’s look at the reality. Or should I say, “augmented” reality? What the heck is that you ask? Augmented reality is a term most of us have never heard but in a few short weeks more daily time is spent on Pokémon GO than Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter and Instagram and it’s the backbone of the game. Augmented reality is technology that superimposes a computer-generated image on a user’s view of the real world, thus providing a com-posite view. For those really thinking about this, “virtual” reality is different and there will be a test later. Augmented reality has actually been around for decades but we’ve all definitely heard about it now and I’msure we’ll only be hearing more. I’ve enjoyed observing the different reactions people have to this new game. I have to admit, though, I am sometimes frustrated by some of the extreme claims. Personally, I can’t help but be amazed by the technology and the potential for what will come next. I also immediately started thinking about how the Chamber and our members may be able to benefit from it. Yes, I’m serious. (BTW, the Bell Tower Building is a PokeStop for those that are interested!) The fact of the matter is that this technology is new to most of us and it has changed behaviors, probably forever. Many love it and are having fun, some are making money from it, some claim ignorance thinking it will just go away and some hate everything about it. So why all the fuss? Sometimes it’s just change. Change is hard. Change, by its very nature, requires us to step beyond our comfort zone, learn something new and possibly let go of something we’ve become

Executive Director

Chamberthe

familiar with. For some it’s fear of the unknown, others a fear of failure. Rational fears are understandable and even failure, after giving our best possible effort, is acceptable. Failure due to close-mindedness, inaction or unwillingness to compromise, however, is not. If we keep doing what we’ve always done, we’ll

keep getting what we’ve always got. Sound familiar? Embrace change, opportunity, learning and growth or be left behind. Okay, it’s just a game. Or is it?There is still time to get your tickets for the best crab feast around. All Chamber mem-bers and their guests are invited to the 35th Annual Chamber Crab Feast at the Ali Ghan Shrine Club Picnic Grounds on Friday, August 5th from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. You need to get your tickets by Thursday the 4th however as no tickets will be sold at the gate. Contact the Chamber office today at 301-722-2820.Thank you to Timbrook Automotive for hosting July’s “Chamber After Hours” at Timbrook Honda. A beautiful summer evening of networking and great hospitality was enjoyed by the nearly 170 in attendance. Chartwells was drawn for Network & Win. Since no one from Chartwells was present at the drawing, the pot grows to a whopping $3,000 for the next “Chamber After Hours” hosted by Nature’s Granite in Grantsville on Wednesday, August 17th from 5:30-7:30 pm. The pre-registration deadline is the 11th. We look forward to seeing you there.Booth space is selling fast so now is the time to reserve your preferred location for Expo 2016: “GAME ON!” being held on Tuesday, October 18th. The sports and wellness theme has proven to be very popular and will be sure to bring a crowd to the event. Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your business or organization. For information go to www.alleganycountychamber.com or contact the Chamber office. Stu Czapski Executive Director

August 5, 2016Ali Ghan ShrinePicnic Grounds

6 - 9 pm

ChAmbEr CrAb FEAst

“Chamber After hours”Wednesday, August 17, 2016

5:30 to 7:30 pm

hosted byNature’s Granite

Crab Feast 2016

sponsored by:

New members(Patronize these members and welcome them to the Chamber)

Holiday Inn Express and Suites1076 National HighwayLaVale, Maryland 21502301-729-4800Fax: 301-729-4801 www.ihg.comContact: Rick Brode, General ManagerEmail: hielavale@gmail.comCategory: Hotels/motelsDescription: Provides lodging on a short term basis

Schochor, Federico and Staton, P.A.1211 St. Paul StreetBaltimore, Maryland 212021-410-234-1000 www.sfspa.comContact: Jim Cardea, Senior PartnerEmail: jcardea@sfspa.comCategory: AttorneysDescription: Founded in 1984 by Jonathan Schochor, Philip Federico and Kerry Staton with the goal of offering exemplary representation to individuals and whole groups of people who are the victims of medical malpractice, negligence and the wrongful acts of others.

Sleep Inn & Suites13320 Ali Ghan Road NECumberland, Maryland 21502301-759-0270Fax: 301-759-0271Contact: Lori Brookshire, Director of Sales & MarketingE-mail: gm.cumberland@mhotelmanagers.comCategory: HotelDescription: Limited service hotel that provides excellent customer service with great rates.

The 35th Annual Chamber Crab Feast will be held on Friday, August 5th at the Ali Ghan Shrine Picnic Grounds from 6:00 to 9:00 pm and is open to Chamber members and guests. This year’s event is being chaired by Jeremy Irons, Carl Belt, Inc., and Scott Pfeiffer, Orbital ATK. There’s plenty of food for every taste bud — crabs, corn on the cob, hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled sausages, Queen City Creamery ice cream, Roaring Springs bottled water as well as Susie Miller’s super-secret recipe for Maryland Crab Soup.

Stephen Nelson, Nelson Marketing Solutions, Publisher Town Planner, and his Crabby Parking Crew will once again assist with parking. Tickets are $70.00 per person and must be purchased in advance. Tickets are non refundable — no tickets will be sold at the door. You must be 21 years or older to attend due to alcoholic beverages being served and the personal liability incurred with serving alcohol. No coolers or outside refreshments permitted.

member Profile: Cut ‘N’ Curl 220 Paca street Cumberland, mD 21502 301-777-3044 sharon Gregory, Owner

be Your best Feel Good

look Great!

Cut ‘N’ Curl opened 34 years ago, back in 1982. They are a full service family salon offering haircuts, roller sets, blow-dries, perms, hair coloring, highlights, lowlights, waxing, as well as nail shellacking.

There are three stylists…Barb Lyons (with 34 years of service), Jan Lowery (with 24 years of service), and of course, Sharon Gregory (who started the company 34 years ago).

The Allegany County Chamber of Com-merce held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, May 6, 2016 to welcome Fantastic Sams to the Chamber and to Allegany County. They are located at 505 B Springdale Street, Cumberland, Maryland. Fantastic Sams, currently under new man-agement, is one of the world’s largest full-service hair care franchises, with salons located throughout North America. They offer everything from hair coloring services and highlights to straightening and textur-izing and even up-dos and waxing. They are not just a women’s salon. They are the preferred men’s haircut salon where men can count on a great cut or just a beard or mustache trim. They also provide kids’ cuts. For more information visit their website at: www.fantasticsams.com.

Pictured left to right:First Row:Steve Nelson, Chamber Membership Committee ChairDebi Langan, Chamber Board of Directors First Vice ChairMichele Faidley, Stylist, Fantastic Sams Loretta Stump, Salon Manager, Fantastic SamsMikaela Walker, Owner, Fantastic Sams Lakresha Mitchell, Owner, Fantastic SamsRod Barker, Chamber Board member, Membership Committee Vice Chair

Nicole D’Atri, Chamber Board memberDawn Payton, former Stylist, Fantastic SamsVicki Quick, Stylist, Fantastic SamsSamantha Swick, Stylist, Fantastic SamsTerry Keegan, former Stylist, Fantastic SamsBack Row:Stu Czapski, Chamber Executive DirectorJeremy Irons, Chamber Board of Directors ChairmanMark Widmyer, Western Maryland Representative, Governor Hogan’s officeAnnette Wolford, Chamber Membership Committee member

ribbon Cutting Ceremony

EXPO 2016: “GAME ON!”

EXPO 2016: “GAME ON!”will be held on Tuesday, October 18th at Allegany College of Maryland in the Gymnasium from 11:30 am to 5:00 pm. This year’s theme is Sports/Wellness and provides a great opportunity for local businesses and organizations to showcase their products and/or services and SCORE BIG!!

Please call and reserve your booth today and begin creating your own unique sporting event. Again this year first, second and third place prizes will be awarded for the best decorated booth – everyone attending Expo 2016 is eligible to vote so be sure to invite your customers to attend and cast a vote for your booth.

Limited booth space and sponsorship packages are still available. Join the following vendor sponsors for a little fun – reserve your booth today before we sell out!!

World Champion Sponsors:U. S. Cellular

National Champion Sponsors:Orbital ATKPlanet Fitness

Potomac EdisonRocky Gap Casino Resort

Regional Champion Sponsors:First Peoples Community Federal Credit Union

Frostburg State University

State Champion Sponsors:Allegany College of MarylandHealth Matters Urgent Care

Local Champion Sponsors:Allegany County HRDCAmerican Cancer Society

Horizon GoodwillRay of Hope

Western Maryland Building and Construction Trades Council

Tailgater Sponsors:Chick-fil-A in the Country Club Mall

Roy Rogers Family RestaurantShooters

Throughout the day Minute to Win it games will be played and the bingo game, that encourages attendees to visit each and every booth, is back again this year.

For additional information visit our website at: www.allegany countychamber.com.

sponsored by:

ChambertheStuart C. Czapski, Executive Director

Allegany County Chamber of Commerce 2016 Officers Chair: Jeremy G. Irons First Vice Chair: Debra m. langanSecond Vice Chair: scott C. PfeifferImmediate Past Chair: maureen t. brewer

Bell Tower Building 24 Frederick Street, Cumberland, Maryland 21502 301-722-2820 • 301-722-5995 Fax e-mail: info@alleganycountychamber.comwww.alleganycountychamber.com

The Chamber News is published monthly by theAllegany County Chamber of Commerce

ribbon Cutting Ceremony

The Allegany County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thurs-day, July 14, 2016 to welcome County United Way to their new location at 101 South Centre Street, Cumberland, Maryland. County United Way improves lives through building community partnerships with identified needs and fund solutions that result in a stronger healthier com-munity. They act primarily for contributors seeking the most cost-effective solutions to problems through funding community service organi-zations that demonstrate measureable results in provid-ing health and human care services to people with needs. For more information visit their website as: www.cuw.org.

Pictured left to right:

First Row:Steve MacGray, Chamber of Commerce Board memberMary Bond, County United Way volunteer Michele Walker, Office Manager, County United WayCommissioner William Valentine, Allegany County Mayor Brian Grim, City of CumberlandJuli McCoy, Finance Manager, County United WayMary Beth Pirolozzi, Executive Director, County United WayBetsey Hurwitz-Schwab, President, County United Way Board of Directors Julianna Albowicz, Representative, Senator Barbara MikulskiLinda Tappe, United Way of Mineral County Chair Diana Loar, Western Maryland Food BankRod Barker, Chamber Membership Committee Co-Chair

Back Row:Stu Czapski, Chamber of Commerce Executive DirectorPhil Rodeheaver, United Way of Garrett County TreasurerJames Robertson, Chamber Board of Director memberNicholas Hadley, United Way of Allegany County Executive Committee member Alan Brinsfield, Building Owner and Tidewater Mortgage – occupying second floorRobin Summerfield, Representative, Senator Ben CardinSandi Saville, County United Way Legacy Leadership donor Jeremy Irons, Chamber Board of Director ChairmanDebi Langan, Chamber Board of Director First Vice Chair